Unveiling the Second Generation of Cloud

An interview with Steve Prescott, Executive Program Director Public Sector, Oracle

For all the success that agencies have had with cloud computing, many experts say that the original clouds world are growing in number and in skills. This has

did not realize the full potential of cloud computing.

Unquestionably, the first generation (Gen1) of cloud offered many benefits: innovation came from the ability to rapidly spin-up and explore new services; scale came from elasticity; lower costs came from years, hackers have proven they can break through VMs

cloud service provider (CSP) “economies of scale” at a level unachievable by agencies’ IT.

Despite this, Gen1 clouds rarely or poorly addressed management and security challenges. The second generation (Gen2) of cloud tackles both problems to make sure the government has the proper

with automation and groundbreaking security features, said Steve Prescott, Executive Program Director Public Sector at Oracle. Oracle developed a Gen2 cloud which addresses the shortcomings of Gen1 cloud architectures.

Using three lessons, Prescott explained how Gen2 clouds improve upon their predecessors.

1. Reduce Complexity

The Gen1 cloud created several unintended consequences. The IT architectures of these clouds staple of Gen2 clouds that can create more space for creativity and collaboration by carrying out

were often static, requiring significant investments in energy, money and time to change.

“First generation clouds often didn’t make it easy to make changes along the way,” Prescott said.

For instance, automating tuning, patching and

In comparison to Gen2 clouds, Gen1 clouds required many more skills with much deeper knowledge to address the proliferation of shadow IT. Shadow IT is any technology used without explicit approval from IT management.

2. Redesign Security

Unfortunately, bad actors in the cybersecurity resulted in a continuous rise in the number and types of attacks. Consequently, Gen2 clouds must adopt fresh tactics to keep their data safe.

Take hypervisors, which host virtual machines (VMs) that emulate physical computer systems. In recent and exploit hypervisors to access the network of virtual environments that are physically linked together.

Gen2 clouds utilize a technique proven popular and effective at the Defense Department (DoD). The DoD physically separates control over its cloud’s administrative functions from the applications and data that run inside the agency’s cloud environment.

“We created our second-generation cloud with a security-first mentality,” said Prescott. “We want safeguards in place.”

3. Augment With Automation

Rapid innovation depends on translating innovative thinking into action. Thankfully, automation is a repetitive tasks with little or no human intervention.

within those skills. As a result, Gen1 clouds did little general administrative functions can greatly reduce workloads for an agency’s IT staff.

“We take the day-to-day drudgery of these activities off the shoulders of systems administrators,” Prescott said.

Overall, Gen2 clouds offer agencies automation and simpler, more secure architectures. At agencies that embrace these clouds, the result is workers having the ability to blaze new trails toward mission success.

NextGen Innovators

Courageous Champions

The Courageous Champion award spotlights public servants who are blazing a path for their generation with courage and determination in local, state, national or international government. Security Administration

Amanda Ames

Chief Engineer, Louisiana Department of Health

Ames monitors Louisiana’s sewage treatment and the provision of clean drinking water statewide. She has also worked to improve public perception of Louisiana’s Safe Drinking Water Program. In five years, Ames has additionally increased staff training and improved morale at the agency. Ames eventually became the agency’s Chief Engineer after completing an engineering internship there after graduating from college.

“What we do touches all people of Louisiana, including the people that visit our state,” she said. “And so, I feel like I make a difference on a very broad scale. Whenever you can implement a change

Robert Nunnery

Coordination Center Manager, Transportation in government, it’s the ultimate reward.”

Nunnery was one of the first people recruited to TSA following the agency’s formation in 2001. Since then, Nunnery has become an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at TSA’s Coordination Center at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. Working at one of the world’s largest airports, Nunnery handles incoming communications from the public and other agencies.

Before joining TSA, Nunnery worked at city, county and federal agencies. After a foray into the private sector, Nunnery signed on with TSA and reentered public service.

“President Kennedy once said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,’” Nunnery said, quoting former President John F. Kennedy when asked what inspires his commitment to government.

Dedication During COVID-19

The Dedication During Covid-19 award salutes individuals who have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis or worked to ensure business continuity and accomplish their agency’s mission. Recipients have demonstrated a commitment to improving and inspiring their agencies.

Vira Ross

Registered Nurse, VA, Southern Nevada Healthcare System

Ross started caring for military veterans in 2012, and she now has direct patient responsibilities as a resident nurse. When not assisting patients, Ross also improves their quality of care and monitors her agency’s compliance. Once COVID-19 reached her area, Ross began serving as a staff nurse to assist with a surge in patients.

“I’m in public service because I want to make a difference in the life of veterans,” she said. “I want to use my skills to educate veterans, advocate for engaged in their own healthcare. Do the best you can each day and make positive differences in the lives of every person you interact with.”

Theresa Sokol

Assistant State Epidemiologist, Louisiana Department of Health

Sokol was inspired to enter public service by her mother, who worked as a nurse supporting critically ill patients. Now based in the agency’s Infectious Disease Epidemiologist section, Sokol monitors about 80 infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

No matter the illness, Sokol works with communities, patients and public health partners them, and encourage and empower them to be

on education, prevention and control. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sokol and her team are making a difference in fighting the disease.

“I find that the people who dedicate themselves to public service are goal-oriented, hardworking and enjoy being part of a team and working together,” she said. “And I’m proud to work alongside them.”